Related Links

PHILADELPHIA -
Three Saint Joseph's University baseball players were honored by the Philadelphia Big 5 on Tuesday for their accomplishments during the 2007 season. Junior outfielder Jeremy Jakubowski and freshman infielder David Valesente were named to the All-Big 5 team, while senior first baseman Mike Gentile was named to the organization's All-Academic team.

Jakubowski enjoyed a fine season at the plate for the Hawks in 2007, finishing with a .331 batting average, tops among the squad's everyday players. Jakubowski was second on the team in runs (26), hits (52), RBIs (23), and on-base percentage (.402). His 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts also paced the Hawks. He finished the season hitting safely in nine of his final 10 games, including an eight-game streak during that span.

Valesente had a standout freshman campaign for SJU, hitting .326 with 18 runs, 47 hits, and 18 runs batted in. He also led all freshmen in average, hits, runs scored, games played (41), and at bats (144). Valesente was named Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week on May 7th, and was chosen for the conference's All-Rookie squad at the end of the season.

Gentile hit .294 in his senior season, recording 40 hits and 14 RBIs in 38 games played. His 184 career hits rank 10th all-time in program history. He also owns the career record for putouts, notching 1,309 in his four-year career. This season, he was voted the Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball Player of the Week on March 26th after hitting .727 in three games the previous week.

Temple's Sean Barksdale and Derek Shunk of Villanova were named the Big 5 Players of the Year, while Kevin Loree of Villanova and Todd Roth of Penn were chosen as the Pitchers of the Year. Roth also took the organization's Rookie of the Year award. Dan Terpak of Villanova was named Student-Athlete of the Year, and Penn's John Cole was tabbed Coach of the Year. The Quakers were voted the Big 5 Team of the Year.